An MP has called for urgent action to improve the quality of food being served to patients at Airedale Hospital, Steeton.

Airedale NHS Trust decided to privatise the catering service earlier this year, much to the anger of MP Ann Cryer, pictured, unions and hospital staff.

Under the new arrangement, meals are managed by private catering firm Sodexo which transports prepared meals to the hospital from Wales.

Last week the daughter of an elderly constituent contacted Mrs Cryer, who represents parts of South Craven as well as Keighley and Ilkley, raising concerns about the standard of meals being served to patients.

Mrs Cryer said: “The constituent described one evening meal which consisted of two segments of grapefruit and some biscuits. The main course had been burnt on top and was completely inedible. The previous day she had been served salmon which was still half-frozen.

“I’ve written to Adam Cairns, chief executive of Airedale NHS Trust, demanding he investigates this appalling situation.

“It was an absurd decision to privatise the hospital’s catering service and now patients are suffering as a consequence.”

Ann Wagner, Airedale’s director of business development and performance, said: “Mealtimes are an important part of patient care and the hospital takes any concerns about patients’ meals very seriously. One of the specific concerns – about food being cold in the middle – is already being looked into.

“Patients’ meals must meet strict nutritional as well as quality standards and the hospital strives to exceed these wherever possible by monitoring meals on a daily basis.

“The provision of catering services at Airedale was outsourced to Sodexo earlier this year following a rigorous tendering procedure. Sodexo are currently implementing a £2 million scheme to upgrade the catering facilities, which will provide patients, visitors and staff with a state-of-the-art restaurant and kitchen facilities.

“While this work is ongoing we appreciate there may be occasional lapses in standards. However, we are working with Sodexo to ensure standards of food quality and service to patients is improved.”